Tuesday, June 30, 2009

FROM THE COLLECTION: MARY BRADLEY, KAUFMANN CYCLE TROUPE


This 1906 real photo postcard features Mary Bradley from the Kaufmann Cycle Troupe, also know as The Great Kaufmann Cycle Troupe. The Kaufmann Cycle Troupe joined the Ringling Circus and was a featured act for the 1904 and 1905 seasons. Posters and prints are still being reproduced of The Great Kaufmann Cycle Troupe, available here.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Sunday, June 28, 2009

JUST LISTEN: BRANDI CARLILE


Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile was born in Ravensdale, Washington, just 50 miles outside of Seattle. With few friends or neighbors nearby, she learned to rely on herself for entertainment. She fell in love with hiking and camping in the woods and taught herself to sing. Her parents, fans of classic country music, encouraged Brandi's natural talent. Brandi made her stage debut at age 8 when her mother took her to a local country radio show.

By her late teens, Brandi was a fan of rock & roll and picked up the guitar. She was soon playing gigs in Seattle bars and sang backup for an Elvis tribute act. She ran into a band called the Fighting Machinists featuring twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth. When the Fighting Machinists broke up, she convinced the brothers to join her and form a group.

They started out as a hard edge rock & roll band but Brandi's songwriting and acoustic guitar work became the focus of the group and were soon touring, opening for major acts like Dave Matthews and Shawn Colvin. In 2005, Brandi signed with Columbia Records, releasing a self-titled album by the end of that same year. Rolling Stone magazine called her one of 2005's "Artists to Watch" and by 2006, Brandi began work on her second album. The Story was released in 2007 with the title track hearing a crack in her vocals which happened by accident. She describes the vocals as "technically wrong but emotionally right".

You can learn more about Brandi Carlile on her official website and buy her music here.

HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE ON YOUTUBE


Hollywood Shuffle is online and absolutely free. YouTube has the complete 1987 online and it's yours to watch for just a click of the mouse.

Written and directed by Robert Townsend, Hollywood Shuffle tells the story of Bobby's (Townsend) struggle to become a Hollywood actor. He's stuck working a dead-end job at a fast-food stand with co-workers who consistently try to destroy his dreams. When Bobby finally gets a major film role, he must decide if he'll play a stereotypical role or refuse, risking his dream of becoming an actor.

Hollywood Shuffle was produced on a bare bones budget with Townsend personally financing the movie on his own credit cards.

While the film is very low budget, it offers many hilarious scenes. In the clip below, Bobby has a daydream as he waits to audition for a movie. Other would-be actors around him are complaining about being told they're not black enough for film roles. Bobby imagines a Black Acting School where white people teach black people how to "act black" by shuffling, grabbing their crotch and speaking jive talk. This is just one of the many hilarious scenes in the film.

So go grab some popcorn, sit back, relax and watch Hollywood Shuffle "you jive turkey mother fucker!"

Saturday, June 27, 2009

LITTLE MERMAID COSPLAYER


Meet Traci Hines, cosplayer, singer and party princess. She became a Sailor Moon fan in the 6th grade and was soon designing and creating her own anime costumes. Expanding from anime costuming, she decided to take on her favorite Disney character, Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

"Cosplaying as Ariel of Disney's The Little Mermaid was the best response I have ever received for a costume, hands down. It was SO much fun to finally become Ariel, and people just got so excited when they saw me! I loooved the little kids coming up to take pictures with me, and I was even asked to sign a few autographs!"




But Traci doesn't limit herself to just Ariel. You can see her as Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Jasmine from Aladdin and many more here. She's all over the web so be sure to check her out on YouTube, read her blog or friend her on MySpace. Her official website is coming soon so keep checking back on this amazing cosplayer. Meanwhile, here's Traci Hines giving an impromptu performance of "The World Above".

BABY, WE WERE HIRED TO RUN


Feed up with your job and love Bruce Springsteen? Then 6 Dollar Shirts has the t-shirt for you. That's right, you can dress in style and not spend a ton of dough to do it. For a mere 6 bucks, you can show your co-workers who your boss really is.

I GOTTA MOVE TO SWEDEN!


The women of Malmö fought the good fight and won the right to bathe topless in the city's public swimming pools.

The city's sports and recreation committee voted on Wednesday against a motion entitled: "Women with two-piece swimsuits ought to wear a top piece".

The committee eventually settled on the wording that "everybody should wear bathing suits" at Malmö pools but there is no requirement for women to cover their breasts.

But eventually the committee overcame its misgivings and the final decision was unanimous.

“I’m satisfied with the decision,” Bengt Forsberg, chair of the sports and recreation committee on recreation, told The Local.

“Everyone is required to have a swimsuit when visiting the city’s indoor pools and if it doesn’t cover the upper body, that’s OK too.”

According to Forsberg, some on the council had lobbied for wording which would have required women to keep their nipples covered, but Forsberg explained that attempting to enforce such a rule would have been too complicated.

"We don't define what bathing suits men should wear so it doesn't make much sense to do it for women. And besides, it's not unusual for men to have large breasts that resemble women's breasts," he said.

Looks like America is no longer the greatest country on earth. Come on all you feminists out there! Fight to bare your breasts!

SCOPITONES SATURDAY: "WHEEL OF FORTUNE"


The Scopitone for Kay Starr's "Wheel of Fortune" is a little odd. Unlike most Scopitones, this one seemed to actually have a little budget behind it and has a very nice set. The dancing girls don't fit with the slow melody but are obviously there to sex things up. "Wheel of Fortune" was Kay Starr's biggest hit, lasting 22 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at #1.

Friday, June 26, 2009

THE INVENTION OF LYING


Ricky Gervais has a new film coming out and get this, Louis CK is in it. You read that right, two of the funniest people on the planet will be in the same film. But wait, it gets better. The movie is written and directed by Ricky Gervais.

The Invention of Lying stars Gervais as a man living in a world where no one lies, ever. Until one day when Gervais realizes he doesn't have to tell the truth and everything changes.

It's good to see Ricky Gervais writing his own material again instead of relying on Hollywood writers for his films (Ghost Town) and appearing in crap like Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

The Invention of Lying is scheduled to hit theaters September 25, 2009.

MICHAEL JACKSON 1958 - 2009


Unfortunately I think Michael Jackson will be remembered for the scandals and allegations, not the talent and years of entertainment he brought to the world. It's sad to think of a man who had everything and yet lost himself. He obviously had a sense of humor, which is apparent in this famous episode of The Simpsons, titled "Stark Raving Dad". Jackson voiced the character of Leon Kompowsky, a brick layer who thinks he's Michael Jackson and shares a cell with Homer in an insane asylum.

I DON'T THINK SHE'LL FIND IT FUNNY


But I think it's hysterical!

Found here.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

VELMA IN A BIKINI


Daphne may have been the pretty one but all the guys really want a girl to talk to. Velma is looking better and better but this is the first time I've seen her so busty. Artist Drew Gardner decided to put a sexier spin on Velma and drew her in a bikini. This is so much better than that turtleneck sweater.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK MEETS SPIDER-MAN


Spider-Man swings from his webs and gets trapped by an avalanche. Good thing the Hulk shows up to save the day. Spider-Man, who does nothing heroic in this Mego advertisement, plays the part of a damsel in distress and even flirts with the Hulk saying, "Good job, handsome". I like it so much better when they fight.

FARRAH FAWCETT DEAD AT 62


Actress, sex symbol and pin-up girl Farrah Fawcett died today of cancer at age 62. Like every boy growing up in the 70's, Farrah Fawcett played a big part in my childhood. I was a big fan of Charlie's Angels but too young to own the famous poster. I can still remember being jealous of my best friend's older brother who had the poster on his wall.

Her film roles and tv appearances will live on as a testament to her talent. Jaclyn Smith said it best when she said, "Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels."

CRUSHES: CAROLINE MUNRO













British actress and model Caroline Munro is well known for her many sci-fi and horror roles. She modeled for Vogue magazine when she was 17 and moved to London to continue her modeling career. It wasn't long before she was offered roles in movies and appeared in Casino Royale, The Abominable Dr. Phibes and the sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again. She went to work for Hammer Films and while filming Dracula AD 1972, she decided to become a fulltime actress. She went on to become a Bond girl in The Spy Who Loved Me and appear in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, At Earth's Core, Starcrash and Maniac. These days Munro is focusing on her family but still does an occassional cameo in films.

You can learn more about Caroline Munro on her official website.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

LUKE CAGE CAN'T DANCE


What would happen if our favorite superheroes were forced to live together and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when superheroes stop being polite and start living in The Real World Metropolis.

COVER OF THE WEEK


Ms. Marvel, #40, Marvel Comics

10 MORE EXTREMELY DISTURBING MOVIES


Previously I featured The 15 Most Disturbing Movies Ever Made from Popcrunch. Well, Listverse brings us 10 More Extremely Disturbing Movies and boy, they are not kidding. Just reading the description of these films is disturbing but the clips will send you scrambling to click the pause button. Don't believe me? Just watch the scene from Cutting Moments. I consider myself a movie buff but I have to admit, I hadn't even heard about most of these films. Looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

FROM THE COLLECTION: FOUR SAXON GIRLS


I can't remember where I picked up this real photo postcard of the Four Saxon Girls but I know it was when I first started getting interested in vaudeville. The back of the postcard is blank so I know nothing about them or their act. If anyone has any information, please share.

Monday, June 22, 2009

NEW INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS TRAILER


Here's the new trailer for the Quentin Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds, and it's looking good. The movie hits theaters August 21st.

PIN-UP OF THE WEEK

Sunday, June 21, 2009

JUST LISTEN REWIND: THE TOSSERS


Previously I featured a post on The Tossers but I didn't include the video for the song, "Good Mornin, 'Da". So today being Father's Day, I thought it only appropriate to feature this song and create the first edition of Just Listen Rewind, a look back at some of the featured artists.

Happy Father's Day everyone. And pick up some of The Tossers' music here for your good ol' Da.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

SHAMELESSLY SHE-HULK PHOTOS








Here's one more plug for Shamelessly, the She-Hulk fan film, featuring photos of everyone's favorite savage and sensational She-Hulk. Kierstyn Elrod plays the titular character in the film and looks great in green. Be sure to check out Orange Cow Productions for more info and photos.

GOD OF WAR III GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE


G4 delivers over 13 minutes of God of War III gameplay footage direct from E3 uncut! Featuring lots of blood and ultra violence, it's the Kratos we've come to know and love. The game is scheduled to be released in March 2010.

SCOPITONES SATURDAY: "AIN'T THAT JUST LIKE ME"


This one of the best Scopitones I've seen so far. Here's Teddy & George singing the rocking song "Ain't That Just Like Me" while sexy girls dance all over the set. This is the first I've heard of Teddy and George but I'm becoming a big fan. There's very little about Teddy & George on the internet but I found the song "Justine" online, along with a review of their album, The Condor, over at Waxidermy.

So head over to Waxidermy and listen to "Justine". But before you go, treat yourself to another viewing of this fantastic Scopitone.

JUST LISTEN: DAMIEN RICE WEEK (PT. 7)


Damien Rice Week concludes with live version of the song "Eskimo". The recorded version from the album O is very different, featuring an opera singer at the end of the song. To be honest, it was so bizarre and weird, it was my least favorite song on the album. But then something strange happened, I kept listening to the song and soon I found myself playing the song over and over, liking it more and more until it became one of my favorite tracks. Maybe this song is an acquired taste but no matter whether you like it or not, you have to admit it's as unique and singular as Damien Rice himself.

DID YOU GET THAT MEMO?


Working in an office can be dull, monotonous and flat-out boring at times but not for these love birds. Enjoy Post-It Love, a short film by directors Simon Atkinson and Adam Trowley about two office workers flirting with each other using office supplies.

MEGAN FOX TALKS JONAH HEX SEQUEL


MTV caught up with Megan Fox and asked her about a possible sequel to the upcoming comic book film, Jonah Hex.

“They leave it open for a sequel…They tweaked the script so there might be a sequel if necessary. It’s a dark, no-nonsense, no bullshit comic book movie,”

And here's the best part, Megan Fox only worked on the film for a week! Apparently she must have a small role in the film so maybe this won't be the suckfest I'm expecting it to be.

Friday, June 19, 2009

JUST LISTEN: DAMIEN RICE WEEK (PT. 6)


Damien Rice Week is nearly over and though I've shared several of his songs, I still don't feel it's enough. Few artists reach the depths and levels of intimacy and emotions the way Damien Rice captures in his music. Today's post features "Delicate", a truly beautiful song.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

CRUSHES: CHERYL LADD







Jaclyn Smith was my favorite Angel during the first season of Charlie's Angels. That was until season two when Cheryl Ladd joined the cast as Kris Munroe, the younger sister of Jill Monroe played by Farrah Fawcett, who departed the show in 1977. Ladd stuck with the show until the series' finale in 1981. Since then, she's stayed busy writing a children's book and Token Chick: A Woman's Guide To Golfing With The Boys, performing on Broadway, starring in films and television series.

You can learn more about Cheryl Ladd on her official website. Meanwhile enjoy the photos and this clip from Charlie's Angels.

Trivia: Cheryl Ladd sang on Hanna Barbera's album for the animated series, Josie and the Pussycats and had a hit single "Think It Over" which reached number 38 on the Billboard music chart.

OLIVIA MUNN IN IRON MAN 2


That's right, according to SlashFilm every fanboy's dream girl is going to appear on the silver screen in Iron Man 2. She's not revealing what the role is but she did say she's not playing a reporter in the film. Stay tuned to her Twitter page for more info.

JUST LISTEN: DAMIEN RICE WEEK (PT. 5)


Damien Rice Week continues with Damien performing the song "Hallelujah" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Leonard Cohen. There have been many versions of this song by different artists but Damien Rice nails it, making his version my favorite.

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